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Faried injured, but Nuggets down Portand to set team record

ByTHE DENVER POST

Posted:
04/15/2013 10:27:15 AM MDT

DENVER, CO - APRIL 14: Kenneth Faried (35) of the Denver Nuggets goes down with an injury during the first half of action. The Denver Nuggets play the Portland Trailblazers at the Pepsi Center. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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AAron Ontiveroz
)

Given a chance to state his case, Nuggets coach George Karl places this team, the 2012-13 Nuggets, among the top three in NBA franchise history -- with a chance to enhance the position.

"I think it's top three, from what I know about Denver," Karl said. "I think the year we had (in 2009), the one year Doug (Moe) had (1987-88) and this year. You can argue whatever you want to argue. ... And I think that argument is probably going to be more definitive from how we play in the playoffs."

The playoffs can't come fast enough. Because while the Nuggets were busy setting a franchise record for victories in a season with Sunday's harder-than-it-had-to-be 118-109 win over a Portland team that started four rookies, it also was dampened a bit because of an injury.

Starting power forward Kenneth Faried went down in the first quarter with a sprained left ankle and did not return. Though he's considered day to day, Faried did not make the trip to Milwaukee for Monday night's game and is scheduled to get an MRI exam.

"I tried to power up and stepped on Will's foot when I tried to go," Faried said, referring to Portland's Will Barton. "Just twisted it. I'm relieved it ain't a break."

Asked if he thought he'd be ready for the playoffs, Faried said, "I'm going to play."

While Faried was gone, his teammates took care of the rest. What the game lacked in aesthetics -- the Blazers provided a speed bump's worth of competition -- it more than made up for in historical significance.

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It was the double-nickel win, the 55th of the season, against 25 losses, making this the winningest NBA Nuggets squad. And it has reached this point with two games left.

"I've had the privilege of being on teams that won 60 a couple of times. That was pretty good," Karl said. "Fifty-five is the next-best thing."

The start of this season made this, at best, an improbable result. There was the task of working through arguably the most challenging road start ever doled out to an NBA team -- 22 of the first 32 away from home -- and down the stretch the Nuggets have had to adjust on the fly with injuries.

And despite it all, Denver has gone 37-9 since Jan. 3. when it was 18-16; had a stretch of 15 consecutive wins; won 22 consecutive home games; and ascended into the third spot in the Western Conference.

"I do idealistic and realistic predictions, and I thought the most we could squeeze out this year was 54," Karl said. "So we're above and beyond. I admire how my guys have stayed in this season. They fought through some tough moments and continue to improve. It's a pretty special year."

As far as the playoff race is concerned, the Nuggets' magic number to eliminate Memphis from top-four contention is one. A win Monday against Milwaukee and they are assured of either the third or fourth spot in the Western Conference. Their magic number over the Clippers is two. So either two Nuggets wins or a Nuggets win over the Bucks and a Clippers loss on Tuesday against Portland solidifies them in the third spot in the West.

Should things be wrapped up by the season finale -- Wednesday at home against Phoenix -- Karl said he would like to give a few of his regulars some much-needed and well-deserved rest.

On Sunday, those regulars did what they've done all season -- score points in bunches. Point guard Ty Lawson returned to the starting lineup and looked good on his still-healing right heel. He scored 12 points and had 10 assists in 31 minutes of action. The Nuggets were led by Andre Iguodala's 28 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Six players scored in double figures.

"We bought into what Coach is saying," Lawson said. "We've just been playing harder and focusing on defense. It translates to wins, and that's what we've been doing so far."

Nuggets Recap

What you might have missed

The Nuggets quietly had one of their best games from the free-throw line of the season, making 24-of-27. ... Denver forced 23 Portland turnovers and converted those into 32 points. ... Center JaVale McGee scored 10 points, his second straight game in double figures. It was the first time he had consecutive games in double figures since doing it on Feb. 7 and 9. ... The Nuggets had 28 fast-break points.

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